Meghalaya Assembly Pays Tribute to Former Speaker Dr. Donkupar Roy

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: Members of the Meghalaya Assembly on Friday paid rich tributes to former Speaker Late Dr. Donkupar Roy on the opening day of the Autumn Session and other political leaders from across political spectrum all over the nation who expired during the last six months.

Initiating the discussion on the obituary references, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma remembered Dr Roy as a Chief Minister in 2008-09, when he (Conrad) held the Finance portfolio.

According to him, he was always ready to help and learnt the trade of Finance from Dr Roy.

Conrad said that as Speaker, he was never biased and always guided the young legislators and first time MLAs across party lines.

Calling Dr Roy as the architect of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition, the Chief Minister said, “He brought all the parties who are in the MDA, together and ensured understanding between the partners. This laid a strong foundation between the various parties in the alliance.”

Opposition leader, Dr Mukul Sangma, told the House that he had known Dr. Donkupar Roy since 1993. Dr Sangma won his first election in 1993, while Dr Roy first won in 1988, as an independent MLA.

“In 1993, we were 12 independent MLAs. Therefore as a group we had the privilege to know closely,” Dr Sangma said.

The Opposition leader said that in spite of being on the opposite sides in the Assembly, they remained friends.

He recalled that they were both Deputy Chief Ministers under the leadership of veteran politician Dr DD Lapang.

Dr Sangma pointed out that on many occasions they were confronted with situations but the presence of Dr Roy they found out ways and means to come out of it.

Congress MLA from East Shillong, Ampareen Lyngdoh said that although Dr Roy was a soft spoken man but he knew what to say.

She also said that he was one person who wanted the regional forces to have their say in the State’s politics.

“He was an individual who had the foresight for survival of regional forces in Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh added.

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